Non-Fiction Books
Folklore, temple and tomb paintings, and hieroglyphic texts are drawn upon to explore the potent and pervading legacy of magic and ritual in ancient Egypt, a legacy that has survived to the present day. To the Egyptians, magic was an exact science with rules that were necessarily observed to placate the gods, ensure good fortune, cure the sick, and guarantee a safe passage through the underworld. This book provides insight into the full meaning of rituals that were designed to ensure health and happiness, preserve life, and smooth the moments of passage—birth, marriage, death, and the continuum of years.
Egyptologist, essayist and novelist, Christian Jacq is one of the most widely read authors in the world. Here, he presents a new vision of one of the pillars of Egyptian wisdom and the key to an era of rich spirituality which has much to offer. Ptah-Hotep was a philosopher and leading statesman in the Egypt of 2400 BC. Having reached the great age of 110 he decided to pass on his experience by setting down a collection of sayings, or 'wisdoms.' Miraculously preserved, his work has a real claim to be the oldest book in the world and offers not only wisdom but an exceptional insight into the life and philosophy of the ancient world. As second in command to the fifth-dynasty pharaoh Djedkare Isesi, Ptah-Hotep's work is crucial to our understanding of the golden age of the Ancient Empire (around 26402040 BC). Through this book we can see into the mind of the sage and share his most intimate reflections. Styled as advice from father to son or master to pupil, his words offer counsel on timeless topics such as the art of governing, the nature of true knowledge, and how to enjoy a harmonious life without violence.
Looks at the history of hieroglyphics, shows how they are written, and shares examples
Un choix des plus beaux textes de la sagesse égyptienne : paroles de pharaons illustres, de prêtres et de scribes anonymes, inscriptions profanes ou religieuses, qui nous invitent à plonger dans l'éternel mystère de cette culture millénaire que l'on ne finit pas d'explorer depuis deux siècles.
Egypt’s landscape, from sand-swept desert ruins to the brilliant water of the Red Sea to the vibrant city of Cairo, is as legendary as its mythical history. Home to hieroglyphs, pharaohs, and the Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt’s rich cultural heritage truly merits its place in the cradle of civilization. In this breathtaking photographic journey down the Nile river, renowned photographer Philip Plisson travels by air with bestselling author and Egyptologist Christian Jacq to create this celebration of a spectacular landscape. Plisson’s expert lens captures stunning icons of antiquity with the same grace and beauty as it presents the people of Egypt, subsisting as they have for centuries in communities along the Nile delta. Jacq’s illuminating text provides a history of the subjects of Plisson’s 250 splendid photos, inviting readers to rediscover Egypt as they have never known it before. Praise for Egypt : "Philip Plisson's aerial photographs . . . feel like clues to Egypt's mysteries--elegant patterns and strange geometry from a viewpoint that most travelers will never see." - Virtuoso Life